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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />April 14, 2009 <br />Page 4 <br />0 <br />6 <br />7 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 VIII. <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />Councilmember Thuesen reported on his attendance at the April 4"' goals presentation to former <br />elected officials of the City. <br />Councilmember Gray reported that the Village Fest Committee has decided to move the event <br />back to the shopping center this year. The event is scheduled for July 315`, August 15S and August <br />2nd <br />Councilmember Roth: No report. <br />Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the following events: <br />• March 26`" Annual Chamber of Commerce Meeting. George Wagner was honored for his <br />work as a volunteer in the community. <br />• March 315` briefing by the Monticello City Manager on fiber -to- premise. <br />• March 315` Council meeting with ISD #282. <br />• March 315` City Council budget work session. <br />• April 2 "d Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) meeting. The <br />MWMO has entered into a contract to buy a piece of property on the Mississippi River to <br />build its own building. <br />• April 4t° goals presentation to former elected officials of the City. He expressed his <br />appreciation to City staff for taking a Saturday morning for the meeting. <br />COMMUNITY FORUM. <br />Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that <br />are not on the regular agenda. <br />Mr. Paul Berry, 3417 Edwards Street NE, addressed the City Council and stated he realizes that <br />the Emerald Park renovation is more than likely a foregone conclusion. He understands it has <br />been in the planning process for many years. As a citizen he became aware of the project with <br />the recent coverage on the splash deck vote and investigated it further. He stated the council <br />members have all received emails from him. He has been a resident of St. Anthony for almost <br />five years. He and his family are avid users of the park system in the City. They use the parks a <br />minimum of 50 times per year, split evenly between the three parks in the City. He does not <br />consider any of these parks to be inferior to another. All of the parks are close together and <br />minutes away by car. The addition of the new Three Rivers Park will be a great asset to the <br />community and will add a fourth fine park in St. Anthony. Mr. Berry stated they are in tough <br />economic times. Hopefully times will get better, but there is no guarantee on if or when that will <br />happen. Last week 20% of the people in his subdivision lost their jobs; no one is immune. Their <br />property values have decreased, yet their property taxes continue to increase. As a city he <br />believes St. Anthony should be tightening its belt as all the citizens have done. An expense in <br />this magnitude is not warranted in his opinion. Mr. Berry stated 32 of the 33 people his neighbor <br />randomly spoke with about the project were in opposition to the project and signed a petition <br />stating so. The Emerald Park renovation is not a necessity. He believes a majority of the <br />taxpayers in the City would understand and applaud a decision by the Mayor and City Council to <br />scale the project back. <br />